What makes massage feel good

In fact, you begin feeling better before the therapist even enters the room. The cool sheets feel smooth on your bare skin. And once your massage starts, all that tied up tension and stress begins to get released through the power of touch. Why does it feel so good? As you settle onto the massage table, remaining still, you can focus on the rhythm of your own breath, quieting your mind and letting your thoughts pass by. Mindfulness is a state of awareness that brings your attention to the present situation and helps regulate emotions and boost body awareness.

As a result, stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline begin to decrease and the overall effect is one of euphoria and bliss. Metabolic waste accumulates around the cells in a liquid called interstitial fluid and needs to be transported back to the bloodstream to be filtered through the liver and kidneys. Massage pushes and moves this fluid around causing the body to require more water to flush out and process the releasing toxins.

Possible side effects of massage therapy According to doctors, a harmless neck massage can lead to injury to the blood vessels, leading to a stroke or paralytic brain attack. National Institutes of Health say massages reduce stress, promote relaxation and improve moods. Just a few minutes of gentle everyday massage is enough and can make more of a difference than one hour every few weeks.

It is recommended to be getting massaged at least once every three weeks or every two to help aid in healthy tissue repair and reduce pain felt from the intensive workouts that the body is going through. Massage will also help with the accumulation of work-related stress. As any massage therapist will tell you, it is completely acceptable to fall asleep during a massage session. In fact, it is a very healthy and normal reaction to an extremely relaxing stimulus.

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